Key Takeaways
- Meta descriptions are brief summaries shown below the page title in SERP that influence user clicks.
- Meta descriptions are not direct ranking factors but improve CTR.
- Must Include primary keywords naturally in the description.
- Each page should have a unique, clear, and upto 160 characters.
What is a Meta Description?
A meta description is a short paragraph that briefly explains to users what your webpage is about. It appears below the page title in the search engine results of Google. A meta description is very useful as it can help users immediately grasp the essence of your content, and they can even decide to visit your website after clicking on your site link, which you have shared.
Format
A meta description is a short passage of text residing in the webpage's HTML code, especially in the <head> area. It describes to the search engines what the content theme of your page is, and at the same time helps them to display a short snippet to the users in the search results.
Examples:
meta name="description" content="Short and catchy 155 characters phrase that will attract the visitors to click on your site."
meta name="description" content="Step-by-step guidance to growing plants in your home. Discover the best tips for indoor gardening."
Where Meta Description Tags Show Up
You'll find meta descriptions in three locations:
- Search Results: Just below the blue link when you Google something.
- Social Media: When you post a link on Facebook or WhatsApp, that tiny text that shows up? That's the meta description.
- Browser Tabs or Bookmarks: Some browsers display it when you hover over a bookmark or tab.
